Friday, January 29, 2010

I am head over heels in love with this AMAZING kitchen by Mick DeGiulio! I absolutely adore the chic color palette. The contrast of the grey island and camel stools looks fantastic against the black and white used in the rest of the room. I also like the fact that they mixed gold and silver hardware. Truth be told, I probably wouldn’t love those metal racks on a daily basis and would opt for a more practical storage solution, but they work with the look of the room.

The kitchen seems like it would the chosen place of a gourmand like Ina Garten or Meryl Streep’s character in It’s Complicated. It looks like the kitchen of a person who actually cooks! Perhaps it’s the addition of the pot rack and scale. Form and function coexist beautifully here. Behind the island, there is a fabulous LaCornue range and you’ll notice that the cabinetry fits the style of the gorgeous French range.

Thursday, January 28, 2010

You’ve probably noticed that La Dolce Vita had a little facelift recently. Last year, I decided that I wanted to revamp things a bit. I didn’t necessarily want to go the Heidi Montag route and make the blog unrecognizable, but I wanted things to look a bit more streamlined and polished. That is where Jessica Graves comes in. I had admired her graphic design work through Front Porch Studio and read her blog, The Lovelist for some time and knew that I absolutely loved her feminine style(I like masculine interiors and feminine typography…go figure!).

Anyhow, over the past few months, Jessica worked diligently to deliver the vision that I had for La Dolce Vita and she did just that. I honestly couldn’t be more pleased with the final result. I hope that you all like the new look since you are kind enough to visit “my home” each day.

If you like the new look on La Dolce Vita, then chances are, you will love the rest of Jessica’s stylish work.

First up, Jessica’s fabulous studio! I love the beautiful white ostrich print. Her stacked boxes are all so chic!

Sassy shoes for a girl with loads of sassy style!

How could I not love the graphic design work of a girl who sits at this desk?

Jessica’s Front Porch Studio does websites, print materials, stationery, and blog design and installation, and branding for small businesses. This is just a small sampling of Jessica’s work and part of the reason I fell in love with her aesthetic.

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

I love costume jewelry. Pretty necklaces, glamorous earrings, fun bracelets… you name it and I’ve got it. A ton of it. My problem is storing it all. I went a little nuts with Stella and Dot’s new Spring line and now that my shipment has arrived, I have been thinking about where I am going to put it all. I have a large jewelry box on my bathroom counter, a smaller one on the shelf in my bathroom, and several organizers in my linen closet. Generally speaking, I am a very neat and fairly organized person, but I know that many of you are bound to be far more organized than I am! How do you store your jewelry?

I would love to find a small, vintage dresser in which to store and organize my jewelry. Perhaps I would then be able to consolidate it all!

I am open to any ideas you might have. I am sure many of you have clever solutions for jewelry storage, so please share!

And while we are on the topic of jewelry, be sure to enter my latest giveaway if you haven’t already. It ends tomorrow at midnight CST!

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Today’s “10 Things” post comes from the lovely Lauren Haskett, a phenomenal kitchen and bath designer who just so happens to be a fellow Houstonian and a founding member of the fabulous blog, Material Girls. Lauren has fantastic style in both fashion and design and I love that she always adds a hint of glamour to everything she does. Her “10 Things” list is both personal and relatable. Enjoy!

#1 - My family and friends. That's husband Bryce, my Maltipoo, Hartley, and me. I am blessed with a fabulous support system. My family and friends have always encouraged me to pursue my dreams and have loved me every step of the way. I also must add my Sunday School class and Bible Study group (shout out to "The Cartel") who have made adjusting to our new life in Houston so, so easy. #2 - My job. I seriously cannot imagine doing anything but interior design for the rest of my life. Sure, school was very challenging, and juggling contractors, writing cabinet orders, dealing with clients who have been living without a kitchen for way too long...it can be a little stressful. However, the process of creating beautiful retreats for people just never gets old. I was given the opportunity this past year to take a big leap in my career. Not only am I working as a Kitchen & Bath designer for a top firm here in Houston, I'm also taking on individual non K & B projects through my company, Lauren Haskett Fine Design.

{poster by fellow blogger, Jennifer Ramos} #3 - Design Blogs. How did I ever survive without design blogs?! Hands down, the best resource for instant inspiration. A virtual library of amazing images, new talent, and fresh ideas. #4 Great Candles. I am partial to the Capri Blue in Volcano (a.k.a. the Anthropologie candle). I've have ventured out and tried a different candles, but I always come back to this one! #5 My Beauty Must Have Product: Laura Mercier Brow Powder Duo. I have crazy sparse eyebrows that must be filled in everyday. I've been hooked on this powder for years...it looks natural and stays put all day long. One compact will last you a very long time. Just a side note: I'm a brunette and I use the color, "soft blonde." I would also recommend using it with the LM Eyebrow brush.

#6 Nike Road Race Short. Yes, a running short made my list. I've looked forever for the perfect running short for me, and this is it. It's lightweight, doesn't ride up, and is really comfortable.

{Windsor Smith} #7 White Bedding and Upholstered Furniture. Much to my husband's dismay I had to have white bedding and a white sofa (slipcovered). I am a glutton for punishment I guess, constantly having to launder the comforter because my little dog jumps up on the bed before I can stop her with muddy paws. We won't even talk about the time the dry cleaner returned my duvet cover with mysterious rust colored spots...I just can't help it - I love living with white!

#9 My laptop & AutoCad. 99% of the time I'm blogging, I've got my computer in my lap and I'm sprawled out on the couch with Hartley curled up next to me. I recently purchased a citrus green (to match my logo) Dell notebook. I chose a PC because of another little thing I couldn't function without - AUTOCAD.

#10 Mexican food. I could eat Mexican food every single day(hence the need for item #6, running shorts). Houston has some AMAZING tex-mex restaurants. My favorite three: Cyclone Anaya's (get the Cyclone Special - but split it with someone), El Tiempo Cantina (could live off their tortillas and queso), and Chuy's (we eat here once a week with friends).

Monday, January 25, 2010

In my opinion, the ladies seemed to fare much better on the red carpet for the 2010 SAG Awards than they did at last week’s Golden Globes. Some may argue that fewer fashion risks were taken, but let’s face it…risks don’t always ensure positive results. While some may have played it closer to the safe side, there were fewer disappointment’s on last night’s red carpet (at least in my humble opinion).

One of my favorite looks of the night was Glee’s Lea Michele in this gorgeous green Catherine Malandrino gown. Not only is the color absolutely beautiful (it happens to be a personal fave), but the fabric drapes her body perfectly. I love, love, love this look!

Kate Hudson seems to be feeling “white-hot” this awards season, opting for a white dress yet again. I happen to like this Emilio Pucci gown much better than the ill-fitting number she chose for the Globes. It is sexy and daring, like Kate herself.

Marion Cotillard looked fabulous in this Elie Saab. This is a woman who takes fashion risks and just about always gets it right. But alas, she is French!

Kyra Sedgwick’s ethereal Vera Wang is beautiful. I love the accent of the grey sash and embroidery. So lovely!

While Christina Applegate’s dress isn’t the most exciting, it is elegant and flattering. The color and shape look gorgeous on her.

Some thought Penélope Cruz played it too safe in this black, embellished L’Wren Scott dress. Perhaps, but the woman is smoldering. She would look amazing in a potato sack!

How adorable is An Education’s Carrie Mulligan? This beautiful, red Lanvin gown accentuates her gamine features perfectly.

Now, on to the risk-takers. I’ve read mixed reviews of Sandra Bullock’s Alexander McQueen gown. It seems some people thought the embellishment was too much. I though the silhouette was gorgeous on her and actually like the cobalt embroidery.

Just when I thought Diane Kruger could do now wrong sartorially, she showed up to last week’s Globes in a poufy, ruffly, cotton candy pink concoction, that quite frankly, I just couldn’t wrap my head around. In my eyes, she redeemed herself at the SAG Awards in this mustard yellow Jason Wu gown. I happen to like this color in casual clothing and while I probably would have preferred to see the gown in a different color, the shape is lovely and she pulls it off.

So, I can’t fully decide how I feel about Toni Colette’s Rafael Cennamo number. I like the gorgeous turquoise and gold accents (how amazing is her jewelry here?) and I think it flatters her quite well, but the ruffles may be too much. I think if the bottom of the dress were a bit different, it would be a definite hit. On another note, I don’t think Toni has ever looked better. She has looked so gorgeous and radiant lately!

Sunday, January 24, 2010

Friday, January 22, 2010

While I usually gravitate towards neutral bedrooms (think soothing grey walls and crisp white linens), this eclectic bedroom by Kathryn Ireland is really speaking to me today. Perhaps it’s the gorgeous, sunny, 75 degree weather we’ve had all week that is making me love the bold colors and ethnic prints used in this unabashedly feminine bedroom. The room is definitely more reminiscent of summer than winter. It looks like the room of a well-traveled woman, which of course inspires me.

Thursday, January 21, 2010

Three designers are currently participating in a Apartment Therapy’s Big Window Challenge. The object was to design the most fabulous window for Bloomingdale’s flagship store in Manhattan. My hands-down favorite belongs to the amazing Eddie Ross. His room would be perfect for the modern day Holly Golightly. It was designed for “The Modern Woman” who is at once a media mogul and mother of two.

In describing his vision Eddie says “The signature space shimmers with a mix of classic and modern, new and old, together with a balance of bold patterns and vibrant colors. A spatter-paint print, like stars in an endless sky, reflects the owner's love of travel to wide-open spaces, and her passion for sparkling evenings at home entertaining friends and family.”

I adore the layered, collected look and feminine color palette along with the magazines and heels tossed on the floor. The room feels very realistic for the modern woman. As always, Eddie manages to include the most amazing vintage accessories to pull everything together.

Eddie is a dear friend and definitely has my vote, but he needs our help because the competition is fierce and it has been a very close race so far. You can vote twice a day everyday until January 28th. Click here to visit the Big Window Challenge homepage to place your vote.